Paloma Rao

27, RJ and TV host

"I'm part of the transition generation — those who grew up in Madras before it became Chennai," says the trained ballet dancer and travel buff. For Paloma Rao, the exciting thing about her hometown is the thriving performing arts scene — new bands, a stand-up comedy act and movie premieres every Thursday keep the cultural flag in Chennai flying high. "The word 'conservative' is often used to describe Chennai and its people, and in many ways that's true. But over the years it's great to see people breaking away from the usual." In her closet you will find an eclectic mix of local Chennai designers like Rehane and Chaitanya Rao, international labels like Chloé, Michael Kors and Ted Baker, and her mother's traditional Kanchipuram silk saris, which she has converted into jackets, dresses and skirts. "My style is eclectic. I love to put things together."